A Wits student attempting to get to class has been left in a critical condition after been hit by bus on Jorissen Street outside the main campus.

By Nomvelo Chalumbira and Chante Schatz

A Wits University student has been left in a critical but stable condition after being hit by a Metrobus bus during peak hour traffic in Braamfontein this morning. The bus driver drove off after the incident.

Tshivhase Mutshidzi, 20, was hit by the bus after attempting to Jorissen street outside the entrance to the Wits University Theatre to get to campus. Taxi driver Patrick Halate who was behind the bus in slow moving traffic when the incident occurred, “The student was trying to cross the road and she saw another car coming, when she moved back to get out the way, the bus came and hit her,” said Halate. He added that the bus later drove off after hitting Mutshidzi.

Emergency services arrived at the scene within minutes and the scene of the accident to attend to Mutshidzi’s multiple injuries. Emergency Care practitioner Thulani Sibanda said, “She fractured her left arm and leg. She is a priority one patient but stable and we are taking her to Milpark hospital for treatment. We have also given her pain medication.”

Johannesburg Metro Police officer at the scene, Herbert Sithole, told Wits Vuvuzela that a case of hit and run has been opened against the driver. “That person must be arrested,” said Sithole.

The officer added that they will be using the JMPD CCTV footage that records activity on Jorrisen Street and Station Road to help them in the investigation.